Josh Wilkins buried a rebound with 3:10 left in the third period Friday night, to lead the #9 Providence College Friars to a 4-3 win over Maine in game one of a Hockey East quarterfinal series at Schneider Arena in Providence, Rhode Island.
Tim Doherty started off the scoring for Maine just 38 seconds into the game to make it 1-0. Almost eight minutes later, Doherty got his second of the night on the powerplay and Maine had a 2-0 lead. Erik Foley and Bailey Conger tied it for Providence however 41 seconds apart, and it was 2-2 after one period.
Veli Tiuraniemi scored another powerplay goal for Maine at 12:43 of the second to make it 3-2 Black Bears, before Scott Conway scored for on the powerplay for PC almost six minutes later to make it 3-3.
Maine had a golden opportunity late in the third period. The Friars Foley got a five minute major and a game misconduct with 6:14 left in a tie game. The Bears shortly after were accessed a penalty for too many men on the ice, nulling the five minute powerplay. Wilkins scored the game winner at even strength, giving the Friars their 13th straight win over Maine (16-0-1 in their last seventeen). PC improves to 21-10-4.
Maine (18-15-4) was 2-4 on the powerplay, and goalie Jeremy Swayman made 37 saves for the Bears in the loss. Providence was 1-4 with the extra man, and Hayden Hawkey made 21 saves between the pipes.
Maine will try to extend their season Saturday night when they face the Friars in game two of the series at 7 p.m.
